Chicago Bulls wingman Zach LaVine knows how much team success plays a role in the selection process for the NBA All-Star Game. With the Bulls having a 25-27 record, LaVine understands why only DeMar DeRozan was selected for the mid-season exhibition on February 19th in Salt Lake City, Utah. Despite his omission, the UCLA product is focused on helping the Bulls return to the NBA Playoffs after a rollercoaster of a season.
“I think we need to be in a better position for us to have two or three guys in the All-Star game. I think we’re sitting 10th right now. That’s not good. I think bigger picture, you’re not worried about All-Star, you’re trying to get your team back in the playoff picture,” said LaVine.
Slow start
LaVine has already played in the All-Star Game twice—in 2021 and 2022. In 2021, LaVine was scorching hot, with averages of 27.4 points, 5 rebounds, and 4.9 rebounds per game. Then, in 2021, after DeRozan joined him in Chicago, LaVine’s numbers dipped, but he was still dazzling, with 24.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4 assists per game.
This season, he got off to a rocky start and missed several games as he worked his way into shape after going through knee surgery in the offseason. He’s still averaging 23.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.
“I didn’t feel like I played at an All-Star level at the beginning of the season. That’s coming back off of injury. I started slow and then started picking it up,” LaVine said. “I am where I’m supposed to be at. I know who I am as a player.”
Aerial artist.@ZachLaVine | @NBCSChicago pic.twitter.com/2LlfMAV0Db
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 5, 2023
Happy for Deebo
Still, LaVine is ecstatic for DeRozan as he will play in his sixth All-Star Game. Now in his 14th season in the league, DeRozan is not showing any signs of slowing down, averaging 26 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 5.0 assist per game.
“He deserves it. He’s been one of the best players in the league. Obviously, our record hasn’t been great this year. But he’s a big reason why we win a lot of our games, especially late game,” LaVine said. “And I think everything that comes his way, he deserves. He works for it. He’s a great guy and a great teammate.”
https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1622038032990748672
Source: yardbarker.com
